By: Laura Chapman
Assistant Sports Information Director
chapmal@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
Photo: Laura Chapman
SELINSGROVE, Pa. – In its first ever Landmark Conference Championship appearance, the Juniata College men's soccer team fought hard against defending league champions, Susquehanna University, and ultimately fell 1-0 on Sassafras Field. The Eagles, slated to finish sixth by the preseason poll, had a history season, winning a program best 13 matches and qualifying for the programs first postseason, and end the Landmark season runner up.
"The team absolutely defied expectations," said head coach Dan Dubois. "Coming into this season, the preseason poll says what the preseason poll says, we don't really put much stock into those, it's a way to develop a story. I think we've always been towards the bottom and we know we don't belong there. We know we're good enough to play in the top and we know we can play at a high level and we proved that this year."
Much like the meeting between the two teams earlier this month, the first half was a well-balanced battle with both squads creating chances in front of the net. Freshman goalkeeper Blaine Barsch (Englewood, Colo./Cherry Creek) made two saves in the first half and came up with a number of strong clearances to help keep game scoreless into halftime.
In the 49th minute senior Andy Blunk (State College, Pa./State College) redirected a shot with a header and nearly snuck the ball In far post, but the Crusaders keeper made a quick reaction save. Susquehanna scored the lone goal of the match in the 65th minute on a low hard shot to the far corner from the top of the 18-yard box. The Eagles mounted pressure looking for the equalizer ultimately outshooting the Crusaders 6-2 in the second half. In the 77th minute freshman Dani Meyer-Arrivillaga (Durham, N.C./Carolina Friends) launched a shot that was going to sneak right under the crossbar, but the Susquehanna keeper just got a glove to the ball to tip it over and out. Juniata finishes the Landmark year 4-4-1, including a thrilling tournament semifinal victory over top-seeded Catholic University of America, 3-1.
"We went out and got some balls to bounce our way [this year] for once," said Dubois. "We did some great stuff. The guys did a phenomenal job. I can't say enough about how they handled themselves. They handled themselves with class every game and put out the effort to be on the winning end of every single game. We didn't get all the results that we wanted, but just to even be here is a great feeling."
The Eagles will now wait to see if they are selected to play in either the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Tournament or the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) South tournament.
"I know the guys are hurting right now," said Dubois. "As they should. Anyone who looses a championship is going to feel that way. But we are very proud with what we've accomplished this season."
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